I’m excited to announce my short film Maddie premieres online today on Film Shortage! Huge thanks to our cast and crew that worked so hard to bring this project to life, and to all of you that supported our film. Please consider sharing, leaving a comment, and/or liking on Vimeo. After watching the film, you can read my director’s statement to learn more about the inspiration and backstory. I recommend watching the film with good sound if possible.

There once was a time when I thought making this film would be impossible. I learned so much through the process and that ultimately anything is possible with the right team, hard work, and dedication. To my talented cast and crew, it was an honor working with you and making this film together.

Today was nearly 100 degrees in NYC so we hit the beach. Here's a foggy seascape from our ferry ride over to Rockaway beach. It got quite lively today during the Colombia and England round of 16 World Cup match.

My first aurora image, out of 6,400 total images. I'll never forget this night, and the following several nights after. I looked up towards the sky, and the green, magenta, red, and blue aurora danced above us for several hours. This image is meaningful because it has been on the top of my bucket list to see and photograph the aurora for quite some time. The aurora is one of the most beautiful, surreal, and bizarre things I've ever seen. I'm excited to pitch a big project...

Today also marks 8 years since I worked my last day at a full time job ✌🏽

Here are some of my favorites images that I photographed of Supai and the Havasupai Falls while on assignment for BBC Travel. Supai is the most remote town in the lower 48 and is only accessible by an 8 mile hike, by mule, or by helicopter and is the only US town that still received its mail by mule. It has been inhabited by the Havaupai for at least 1,000 years. Check out the full story here:

I'm excited to share my first story for BBC Travel, featuring Supai, the most remote town in the lower 48 states. I hiked 40 miles carrying 50 pounds of gear for this story. It is best viewed on desktop rather than mobile. Enjoy!

According to the Weather Channel, it feels like 2°F outside in Brooklyn right now! Mamma mia! After living in NYC for nearly seven years, it still feels like a foreign concept to have to check the weather every single day. No one ever talked about the weather where I grew up in SoCal. Despite the cold, I still love it here and enjoy experiencing seasons and continual change.

And so 2017 ends on a very cold note. 2017 is also the end of American made denim; today the Cone Mills White Oak plant, the last American selvedge denim mill, sadly closes it's doors after 112 years in operation. Cone Mills White Oak denim is my favorite denim fabric, and I ordered one last pair before White Oak shuts down for good.

As 2017 comes to a close, I look back with gratitude. My narrative short film, Maddie, premiered at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema in NYC (sadly also closing it's doors for good next month) earlier this year. Maddie screened at a handful of film festivals and unexpectedly took home a few awards, including the Best Williamsburg Short Award at the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival in Brooklyn last month. Maddie will screen at a few more festivals in 2018. Big thanks to everyone that came out and supported our film this year.

Another project I enjoyed working on this year was This Is Our New York, a short spot I directed for the New York Immigration Coalition, that was broadcasted on the big screen in Times Square.

On a personal note, the major highlight of 2017 was marrying my best friend Lisa in Puglia, Italy last summer alongside our dear friends and family members. We hosted a three day celebration and were intentional about spending quality time together with our loved ones over the course of several days. Afterwards, Lisa and I road tripped, swam, and ate our way around Southern Italy for a month. It was a memorable summer to say the least!

Photo by Nathan Smith

Grotta del Soffio, Italy

Grotta della Poesia Grande, Italy. One of our favorite spots.

Matera, Italy

This year I really had to learn not to sweat the small things in life. Life is too short to focus on little things that really don't matter in the end. I definitely want to continue working on this in 2018 and beyond.

Next year, I will also dance much more.

I also launched a brand new website that you're looking at right now (thanks to my web guru Katherine).

Last but not least, I moved my business into a new studio this year with my friends at Skypie Studio, and have been much more productive and happier. It has been really great and invaluable to move my work life outside of the house, and constantly be surrounded by a community of creatives. I have some exciting projects that I'm looking forward to working on next year.

The audience at the 11/16 screening of Maddie at the Wythe Hotel Cinema

Neil LaBute and Gia Crovatin both won awards for their short film, Good Luck (in Farsi)

Maddie won the Best Williamsburg Short Award at the 8th Annual Williamsburg Independent Film Festival in Brooklyn, NY last week. This was a total shock and completely unexpected.

I want to thank my talented cast and crew for your tremendous hard work and dedication. Without you, this film never would have been possible. It has been quite a journey ever since we started production back in the summer of 2016. I'm so honored and grateful to share this award with you.

Overall I was really impressed with WillFilm. The programming was strong and the organizers did a wonderful job of making us feel welcome. It was also great to meet Neil LaBute, who won the Best Screenplay Award for his short film, Good Luck (in Farsi). I would highly recommend this film festival and look forward to coming back.

Maddie premieres tonight in Brooklyn, in competition at the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival, where it all began for this project. Come out and support our talented cast and crew and share a drink with us. We hope to see you there!

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT MADDIE AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START THIS PROJECT?

Maddie is a narrative short film inspired by a life-altering personal experience I had in NYC, that I wrote, directed, and produced.

WITHOUT GIVING TOO MUCH AWAY, WHAT IS MADDIE ABOUT?

Maddie shows how certain events can alter the course of the rest of your life. It’s a very real, raw, and honest human story. The central protagonist in Maddie is a strong, yet complex female character.

WHAT IS PERSONALLY MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU ABOUT THIS FILM?

The film is a very personal story that is close to my heart, and was inspired by actual events that I witnessed firsthand. The process of creating the film has been very therapeutic and taught me that anything is possible because making this film was an uphill battle most of the time. Bringing this project to life has really empowered me as a storyteller and filmmaker.

Reuben Hernandez Studios has moved into a new shared studio with our friends at Sky Pie Studio. We are located at 67 West St., just off of the East River in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. We love visitors so please stop by and say hi if you're in the neighborhood. We're in suite 504, on the same floor as The Greenpoint Loft, Ruby Bird Studio, and Colony Studios.

Storm King Art Center, a picturesque 500 acre outdoor sculpture park, is one of my favorites places to visit and is only a short drive north of NYC. I highly recommend stopping by The Shops at Jones Farm for some goodies either before or after!